Effective Monday, February 5, 2018, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will expand hours when parking fees are charged, lower parking fees at two stations as part of a pilot program, and begin charging higher fees for "non riders" at additional stations. In addition, a $2 fee for Saturday parking will begin February 10.
The changes will allow Metro to maximize utilization of parking facilities without increasing the daily parking rate for Metro customers on weekdays.
New Parking Fee Hours
Metro will adjust the hours when parking fees are collected to begin two hours earlier on weekdays and end one hour later on Fridays. Parking fees will also be collected on Saturdays.
Beginning February 5, parking fees will be in effect during the following hours:
- Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
- Friday 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday Daily Parking Fee
On Saturdays beginning February 10, a parking fee of $2 will be charged for Metrorail riders who park at Metro garages and lots. (Individuals who park at a Metro facility but do not use the rail system may be charged a higher fee at selected lots. See "Non-Rider Parking Fees" below.) Parking on Sundays and federal holidays will remain free except when special event parking rules are in effect.Adjusted Weekday Daily Parking Fee
The weekday parking fee will be lowered to $3 at Landover and West Falls Church to study whether lower parking rates will increase demand for parking at underutilized Metro stations.Non-Rider Parking Fees
Individuals who park at Metro facilities but do not use the Metrorail system will be charged a higher "non-rider fee" (ranging from $8.70 to $10) Monday through Saturday at selected locations. Current parking fees for Metro customers are not changing. In order to receive the lower rider rate, customers must pay with the same SmarTrip card used to enter/exit Metrorail, and must exit the parking lot within 2 hours of the start of their last Metrorail trip. Metrorail customers who use a credit card at these stations will incur the non-rider fee.
Note: Customers who use a commuter benefits debit card to pay for parking should contact their employer about using SmartBenefits to load your parking funds to your SmarTrip card.
Stations charging a non-rider fee will include:
- Green Line Branch Ave, Greenbelt, Suitland
- Yellow Line Huntington
- Orange Line Dunn Loring, Minnesota Ave, New Carrollton*
- Blue Line Franconia-Springfield, Largo Town Center
- Silver Line Largo Town Center
- Red Line Rhode Island Ave, Rockville, Twinbrook*, White Flint*
*Existing stations with non-rider fee
The parking enhancements are estimated to generate approximately $4 million in additional revenue to help fund Metro services.
